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CWB Confirms Majority of Farmers Demand Barley Freedom

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - June 5, 2008) - Canadian Wheat Board Chair Larry Hill confirmed that an overwhelming majority of Western Canadian farmers are demanding barley marketing freedom during his appearance before the Senate Agriculture Committee today. David Herle, a long-time Liberal insider and Ralph Goodale advisor, conducted the poll for the CWB.

"This Government is working hard to deliver barley marketing freedom and the CWB's own polling results leave Ralph Goodale and the Liberals with no excuse but partisanship for blocking that freedom," said the Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board.

The CWB's own survey makes it clear Western Canadian farmers want change and Minster Ritz called on Ralph Goodale and the Liberals to listen to Western Canadian farmers by passing Bill C-46.

"Western Canadian farmers have been crystal clear: they want barley marketing freedom by August 1, 2008," said Minister Ritz. "How can Ralph Goodale and the Liberal Party claim to have any respect for democracy while ignoring the clear results of their own survey?"

The numbers Mr. Herle delivered to the CWB show that nearly 70 per cent of Western Canadian farmers are demanding barley marketing freedom.

"If Ralph Goodale and his Eastern-based Liberal colleagues still refuse to listen to Western Canadian farmers, maybe they will at least consider the clear results provided by long-time Liberal insider David Herle," said Minister Ritz. "Western Canadian farmers have made their demands for barley marketing freedom loud and clear. For 13 long years, the Liberals simply did not get it done and they must listen to farmers now. This is a time for action and Prime Minister Stephen Harper and this Government are delivering on farmers' demands for barley marketing freedom.

Contact Information

The Office of the Honourable Gerry RitzMargaux StastnyPress Secretary613-759-1059